Printable sheet convertible to disk container

ABSTRACT

A computer-printable scored sheet for printing text on one surface. After printing, the excess material of the sheet is removed and the remaining portion of the sheet is folded into a container, secured together by parallel, pressure sensitive adhesive strips to form the blank into a container which an Optical Disk (OD) or Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) can be stored. A pattern for the OD blank includes a print area for a directory listing of files stored on the OD. Two sheets can be combined into a double-sleeve disk container. A customized software utility interacts with the sheet for controlling printing of the directory listing and providing a variety of options to users.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a scored sheet foldable into acontainer for a disk and, particularly, to such a structure for anoptical disk which can be printed with a computer printer to listcontents or other information on the container.

BACKGROUND

[0002] It has become common practice to utilize a computer to recordmusic or videos on a disk such as an optical disk (OD) or digital videoversatile disk (DVD). This procedure is commonly called “burning a CD orDVD.” Because of this practice, there has become a need for aninexpensive sleeve, envelope or container for such disks which can beeasily printed to indicate the contents of the disk or for otherpurposes, such as advertising. A printable envelope for a computerfloppy disk is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,780 which issued on Aug.2, 1994 to John C. Scott. This patent discloses a folded sleeve withinterlocking tabs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,216 issued Sep. 20, 1994 to JohnC. Scott discloses a similar type of container for a floppy disk whichis formed from two sheets laminated together with an adhesive. Thecontainers in both of these patents are printed with a directory of thecontents of the diskette by utilizing a software utility for controllingthe application of the printing.

[0003] Other types of covers are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.5,857,707 issued to Devlin; 5,662,217 issued to Durr; 5,690,219 issuedto Harrer; 6,220,205 issued to Flynn et al.; 4,708,285 issued to Segall;5,050,792 issued to Segal; and 2,803,338 issued to Elliott. So-calledjewel cases of clear plastic are also used which hinge apart to allowfor the insertion of the disk. These cases are normally provided withteeth in the center of the case to secure the disk in place. Theseteeth, as well as the hinges, have a tendency to break off during use.

[0004] Such envelopes or containers of the prior art have a disadvantagesince they cannot be securely closed to prevent accidental opening andloss of the disk. Further, the envelope forms are easily torn,especially if they are handled carelessly. In addition, the preparationof the sleeves is complicated and they are constructed from relativelycostly materials. This invention overcomes those disadvantages,providing a standard size sheet which can be readily printed and thenformed into a secure sleeve or container for holding a CD or DVD.Further, the container is so constructed that it can be printed on itsspines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention provides a simple container for an OD which can beprinted in a standard computer-directed printer utilizing a flat sheetof conventional size. The container is easy to use and long-wearing. Inanother aspect the invention solves the problem of providing a usefulobject that can be separated from a single sheet and assembled byfolding and pressing pressure-adhesive parts together into asingle-sleeve storage container. Further, two or more sheets can beassembled into a double-sleeve storage unit.

[0006] A printable sheet of heavy stock paper, plastic or similarmaterial which can be folded, is provided which is capable of beingprocessed in a conventional computer printer to provide printing on itssurface. After printing the sheet, outer breakaway portions are removed,herein termed the selvage edges. When the selvage edges are removed, theportion of the sheet remaining is called a blank, and can be folded toform the container for the OD. The blank comprises an upper portion anda lower portion. Approximately halfway between the lower and upperportion, parallel, horizontal scored lines are pressed into the blank.The distance between these parallel lines corresponds to the approximatethickness of an OD.

[0007] Parallel flaps are provided along the outer side edges of thelower portion of the blank. These flaps have vertical, paralleldepressed fold lines adjacent to the sides of the lower portion of theblank. The distance between these fold lines allows for the printing ofthis spine area, is slightly larger than the approximate thickness ofthe OD and corresponds with the distance between the parallel scorelines between the upper and lower portion of the blank. The printedsurfaces form the outer surfaces of the container. The sheet is scoredbetween the upper and lower portions to facilitate folding in a similarmanner as the flaps are scored.

[0008] The sheet can be scored for ease of folding by passing into apress or similar device which presses score lines into the sheet. Thispress can also perforate the sheet to form the breakaway selvage edges.Since the sheet has to be passed through a computer printer, care has tobe exercised in creating the breakaway cuts so the sheet has sufficientstrength to pass through the printer and still remain a uniform sheet.The perforations are centered so that either the front or back of thesheet can be imprinted.

[0009] The first set of score lines is provided approximately equaldistance between the top and lower edges of the blank running in ahorizontal direction across the blank for its full width. These scorelines separate the upper and lower portions of the blank intoapproximately equal size. Similar score lines are provided along theside edges of the lower half of the container leaving narrow flaps whichcan be folded along the score lines to form the side portions of thecontainer. The narrow flaps have vertical pressure sensitive adhesivestrips running in a vertical direction for approximately the wholelength of each flap. The adhesive is covered by a release paper whichallows it to pass through the printer and then can be removed to exposethe adhesive. The sheet can be fed through a printer, such as a laserprinter, an ink-jet printer, an impact printer, or other similar graphicprinting device, intact.

[0010] The method for forming the container has only a few simple steps.The approximately rectangular sheet is cut to produce the breakawayedges in a press or the like. In the same operation, the parallel scorelines can be formed by compressing the paper at the score lines. In apreferred embodiment, narrow strips with adhesive on both sides arepressed on the paper along the vertical score lines of the flaps andadhesively secured thereto. The upper or outer surface of the strips iscovered with a strippable sheet so the adhesive is protected duringpackaging and the subsequent printing step. The sheet can then be placedin a paper tray of a computer printer. The desired print is created onthe computer screen which can be, for example, a directory of thecontents of the OD for which the container is to be used. Both the topand bottom portions of the blank can be printed if desired. The printingon the bottom will appear upside-down until the container is formed.

[0011] For double-sleeve assemblies, two blanks are used which combinetogether to form the double sleeve.

[0012] A conventional label printing program can be used in thecomputer. The print button is then pressed directing the printer to feedthe paper sheet into the printer and the print is applied to the surfaceof the paper. One of the advantages of the invention is that theadhesive strips on the sheet are in a perpendicular direction to thepassage of the paper into the printer thereby minimizing any possibilitythat the adhesive strips will interfere with the flow of the paperthrough the printer. As can be seen, the sheet of this invention can beprinted on a standard, inexpensive home printer.

[0013] For a single-sleeve embodiment, the printed sheet is removed fromthe printer and the selvage edges removed, leaving the portion of thepaper which is the blank and which will form the container. The blank isthen folded along the scored lines with the flaps being between the top(front of the container) and bottom portion (back of the container). Ifspine-labels are desired, the folds are made to form the spine on bothcenter of the sheet and the two sides flaps. The strippable sheetcovering the adhesive is removed, and the front and back panels pressedtogether so the adhesive binds the panels together to form the finishedcontainer.

[0014] For a double-sleeve embodiment, the printed sheet is removed fromthe printer and the selvage edges removed leaving the portion of thesheet which is the outside blank. The blank is then folded along thescore lines with the flaps being between the front of the container andthe back of the container. If the spine-label is desired, the folds aremade to form the spine on both the center of the sheet and the twosides. A second sheet is printed and removed from the printer and theselvage edges removed leaving the paper which is the inside blank. Theblank is then folded along the scored lines with the flaps being betweenthe front of the contained and the back of the container. The outsideblank is placed printed side down and the inside blank is placed overthe outside blank. Both the inside and outside blanks are oriented inthe same manner, i.e., right side up. The strippable sheets covering theadhesive are removed and the inside and outside panels are pressedtogether so the adhesive binds the panels together to form the finishedunit.

[0015] Accordingly, the invention provides a printed OD containercapable of being processed by standard computer printers and manuallyassembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawingsembodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangementand instrumentalities shown. In the drawings, which are diagrammatic:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a plan view of the back of a sheet showing score linesfor removing a portion of the sheet and fold folding lines in theremoval portion of the sheet,

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the back of a folded andfinished container of the invention,

[0019]FIG. 3 shows the front of the container made in accordance withthe invention,

[0020]FIG. 4 is an end view of the container shown in FIG. 3,

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the peelable layer on theadhesive.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a double-sleeve container, and

[0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembled container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows the flat sheet of paperor thin cardboard 10 which is preferably of the standard size of paper,such as 8.5 by 11 inches, or A4 paper, 8.3 by 11.7 inches. However, itcan be any size which can be fed into a standard computer printer.Although the invention will be described in connection with providing acontainer or sleeve 20 for the standard size OD, which is approximately4.75 inches in diameter, it can also be used for the smaller ODs. Whensleeves are being produced for smaller ODs, more than one sleeve can becontained on the sheet and printed at one time. Also the inventioncontemplates that additional parts of the sheet, including the back, canbe printed for instructions, advertising or similar sales promotionefforts.

[0025] The paper sheet 10 has cut-out lines 12 near the outer edges ofthe sheet which allows the selvage edge 14 to be readily removed. Ablank 11 remains after the edges are removed. Care must be asserted increating such cutting since the sheet has to maintain its integritywhile being handled and printed.

[0026] The blank 11 has an upper section 16 which forms the front panel22 of the container 20 and a lower section 18 which forms the back panel21 of the container 20. The blank 11 has at its midpoint two parallelscore or fold lines 30, 32 which makes the upper section and lowersection about the same size. The parallel score lines are separated by adistance which corresponds to slightly larger than the approximatethickness of the container to be produced. This thickness allows the ODto be readily slipped into the container 20.

[0027] The lower section 18 which forms the back panel 21 has two flaps34, 36 running substantially the full vertical length of the blank 11.The flaps are separated from the lower section 18 by parallel scorelines 40, 42 and 40′ 42′. The distance between the score linescorresponds to the thickness or space to be allowed for the OD to slidereadily into the container. As a general rule, the distance betweenscore lines 40, 42 and score lines 40′, 42′ is the same and as thedistance between score lines 30, 32 which separate the upper section 16and bottom section 18 of the blank 11. The upper section 16 has a curvedside or edge 23 allowing easy access to the OD stored in the container.

[0028] A paper strip 50, 51 containing pressure sensitive adhesive 46,48 on both sides is applied along the two flaps 34, 36 in the verticaldirection. This adhesive is used to secure the flaps, when folded, tothe front panel 16 so the combination of the back panel and front panelare securely fastened together. In order to prevent the adhesive frombeing activated too soon, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a strippable sheet50 is applied over the adhesive 46 to completely cover the adhesive. Asan alternative, the adhesive can be applied directly to the lowersection 18. Further, the adhesive rather than being of the pressuresensitive type can be solvent-activated, such as by water or an organicsolvent.

[0029] The container 20 formed presents the appearance of a single sheetof paper printed on both sides, although in practice, it is a morecomplex construction. The container 20 holds a CD or DVD disk, forexample, a 4.75 inch in diameter music OD. The inventive envelope canreplace the sleeves customarily used with such an OD. A notable featureof the envelope is that on both sides it comprises a single, coherentsheet of paper fully occupying the space between its rectangular edgeswithout openings or extensions and without additional elements such asprotective strips for adhesive areas. All required adhesive liesconcealed between front and back panels.

[0030] The front panel of the envelope or container preferably comprisesan upper slightly concaved top edge 23 of the front panel which allowsready access to the OD for removal from the container. The upper sectionof each sleeve has a curved or slightly concave edge 86, 66 allowingeasy access to the ODs stored in the container. The front and backsurfaces of panels provide an unobstructed area on which a directorylisting or the like can be printed.

[0031] Such a computer printed listing can be aligned to a margin and ispreferably printed in, or at least begun in, the front panel.

[0032] Standard operating system software such as MS-DOS (MicrosoftCorp.) or from Apple Computer, Inc., or an application program such asWordPerfect (Corel Corp.) which all have label printing programs.

[0033] The method of forming the container is as follows: After printingthe directory listing and any other desired information on the sheet,the blank is separated from the selvage edges. The deep perforations orscoring of the sheet enables it to be cleanly and easily broken orseparated from the sheet. The container is then assembled by foldingalong fold lines 30, 32, with side flaps 34, 36 being folded inwardly onthe surface of the back panel. The unit is pressed together which bindsthe front and back panel together with the flaps between the two panels.The container thus formed is ready for use.

[0034] The method of forming the double-sleeve container is as follows:After printing the directory listing or any other desired information onthe sheet, the outside blank 80 is separated from the selvage edges. Aseparate sheet 82 is printed for the inside blank and the selvage edgesremoved. The deep perforations or scoring of the sheet enables it to beclearly and easily broken or separated. The two sheets 80, 82 are thenprepared for assembly by folding along lines 84, 85, and the side tabs94, 96, 98, 100 folded inwardly on the surface of the sheets 80, 82. Theinside sheet 82 is inverted and aligned on top of the outside sheet 80.The units are pressed together which binds the inside sheet with theoutside sheet with the four flaps or tabs between the two sheets. Thecontainer thus formed is generally indicated by 102 in FIG. 7 with thetwo OD disks 90, 92 shown partially in place.

[0035] This assembly has some distinct advantages over that provided bythe prior art construction. As compared with prior art constructions,the novel OD container provided by the present invention is thus easierto use, and better wearing, being less likely to tear because of itsbetter proportioned OD pocket. It is to be noted that the OD insertionand wear advantages provided by the present invention are attainedwithout impairing the ability of the container to be filed inconventional OD files, and the three-dimensional advantages are obtainedfrom a planar container form. Additional, having the informationrecorded on the spines of the assembly allows easy identification.

[0036] The printable surface on the sheet provides an excellent saleableadvertising space which will come to the attention of users as well asinstructions, many of whom are computer administrators making buyingdecisions and therefore a valuable target audience. After bringingitself to the attention of a user engaged in assembling an envelopeform, the message is then substantially concealed in the assembled ODcontainer, and accordingly is not annoying or confusing.

[0037] Preferably, the directory listing is printed by means of a customprint software utility as indicated comprising a program, or suite ofprograms with information and tutorial files and the like, whichsoftware can be furnished to users on OD along with a supply of thesheets to form the containers. This print utility feature of theinvention preferably comprises means to align a printed listing in theselected area on the envelope form and means to edit and conform thedata to the area. The alignment features should take account of thevariations in top of form alignment displayed by conventionaldot-matrix, ink-jet, laser and the like computer printers, by permittinguser adjustment or configuration. Preferably users are offeredselections as to font sizes, the level of detail, for example theability to select the date or time of the files for printing, the numberof columns of file names to print, whether or not to print fileextensions, and so on. Noting that, in some cases the number of filescan exceed what can be legibly printed in the available readable spaceon the front of the container the listing can be continued on the backof the container. The paper used can be suitably treated stocklaser-printer paper, for example, 80 pound. The outer surfaces can beuncoated, glossy or satin finished, as desired. The preferred weight ofpaper is from 16 to 28 pound (60-105 g/m²) in weight.

[0038] The container provided by this invention also can be adapted toprovide a novel, single-sheet mailer with a built-in return envelope andmovable labels to enable a customer or consumer to effect a reply.

[0039] While the invention has been described in its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that the words which have been usedare words of description rather than limitation and that changes may bemade within the purview of the appended claims without departing fromthe true scope and spirit of the invention in its broader aspects. As anillustration, the vertical pressure sensitive adhesive strips can bereplace with glue or rubber cement which are added in a step afterprinting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printable scored sheet capable of being foldedto be formed into a container for an OD and processed by standardcomputer printer and associated feeding mechanisms to have legendsprinted on the outside of the container, comprising a flat sheet ofpaper or cardboard, said sheet being perforated to define a selvage edgeand a blank after removal of the selvage edges, said blank containing anupper portion forming a front panel of the container and a lower portionforming a back panel of the container, two parallel score linesseparating the upper and lower portions about equally distant from topto bottom, said score lines being spaced apart a distance correspondingto the approximate thickness of the container, said back panel havingtwo vertical side edges, each of said side edges having a flap on eachside edge, parallel score lines along the approximately total length ofthe flaps adjacent to the edges of said back panel, said score linesbeing spaced apart a distance corresponding to the approximate thicknessof the container, said flaps having on the front surface a thin strip ofpaper or plastic containing pressure sensitive adhesive on both surfacesfor securing the thin strip to the back panel and for securing the frontand back panels together when folded along the score lines, the pressuresensitive adhesive strips running in a direction perpendicular to theprinter.
 2. The printable scored sheet according to claim 1, wherein twosheets are combined to produce a double sleeve container for two disks.3. The printable scored sheet according to claims 1 and 2, wherein saidfront panel has a concave top edge to allow easy access to thecontainer.
 4. The printable scored sheet according to claims 1 and 2,wherein the parallel pressure sensitive strips are form 0.25 to 1.5inches in width and from 3.5 to about 4.5 inches in length, and thecontainer formed holds a standard size OD of about 4.75 inches indiameter.
 5. The printable scored sheet according to claims 1 and 2,wherein said strips have at least one removable strip on the surface toprotect the adhesive while printing the sheet.
 6. The printable scoredsheet according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the adhesive sheet is appliedto the undersurface of the flaps.
 7. The printable scored sheetaccording to claim 1, in combination with a print software utility toprint a directory listing, said utility comprising means to align aprinted listing in a selected area on said sheet and means to edit andconform the printed data to said areas.
 8. The printable scored sheetcapable of being formed into a container for an OD and processed bystandard computer printers, comprising a flat sheet having a front and aback, the front being printable on the surface, said sheet beingperforated to define a blank, said blank having at least two panels,with corresponding shapes to form a front and a back of a storagecontainer for an OD when folded together, said panels being manuallyassembled to form the container, one of said panels having topcorresponding flaps containing two pressure sensitive adhesive sealingstrip on each flap for securing the front and back panels together whenaligned with each other.
 9. The printable form according to claim 1wherein said adhesive strips are covered by peel-off protection sheets.10. The printable scored sheet according to claim 7 wherein said flatsheet is rectangular and on both sides comprises a single, coherentsheet of paper fully occupying the space between its rectangular edgeswithout openings or extensions and without additional elements.
 11. Amethod of forming a container for an OD from a flat paper sheet in theform of a rectangle which can be printed by a conventional computerprinter and folded to form the container, comprising cutting portions ofan upper surface of the flat paper sheet having a smooth upper surfaceto form a breakaway blank, producing parallel score lines on the blankto permit easy of folding, the distance between the score linescorresponding to the thickness of the container, applying parallelstrips of adhesive on the under surface of the blank, the adhesivestrips being perpendicular to the printer as the paper is fed throughfor printing the blank, covering the adhesive with strippable sheets,passing the sheet into a printer, printing information on the surface ofthe blank, breaking away the printed blank from the paper by removingthe selvage edge, removing the strippable sheets, manually forming theprinted blank into a container for an OD by folding on the score lineswith a front side and a back side with the adhesive strips therebetween, pressing the back and front panel together so that the adhesivesecures the two panels together, and placing an OD into the containerthus formed.
 12. The method according to claim 10 wherein the adhesiveis applied to both sides of strips which are then applied to the portionof the sheet which becomes the back panel.
 13. The method according toclaim 10 wherein the adhesive strips are applied to the sheet in adirection parallel to the direction of printing.
 14. The method offorming a printed container for an OD according to claim 10 wherein thepaper sheet is approximately 8.5 by 11 inches.
 15. The method accordingto claim 10 wherein the adhesive is applied to both sides of the strips.16. The method according to claim 10 wherein the adhesive is solventactivated.
 17. The method according to claim 10 wherein the scoring onthe undersurface of a flat paper sheet and the cutting are done in thesame operation.
 18. The method according to claim 10 wherein a series ofblanks is formed on the same sheet.
 19. The method according to claim 10wherein two sheets are combined to produce a dual container.